Phonograph-needle.



R. STBINERT.

PHONOGRAPH NEEDLE.

APPLIUATION FILED JULY 1, 1911.

yggyQg Patented Sept. 24, 1912.

TIE :L .E'JLEIE 11T-IEE RUDOLPH STEINERT, 01E' NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

PHONOGBAPH-NEEDLE.

Specication of Letters "Pa'tent Patented sept. 24,1912.

Application tiled July 1, 1911. Serial No. 636,545.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, RUDOLPH STEINERT, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented new and useful Improvements in Phonograph-Needles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to talking machines, and has for its object to provide an improved stylus for such machlnes which shall augment the .volume and also improve the quality of sound produced by modify. ing or destroying the metallic sharpness and ringing so noticeable in talking machines now in use. The tones produced with the improved needle are much purer, deeper, and clearer, and the unpleasant scratching noises common to phonograph reproductions are eliminated.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure` 1 is an elevation of the improved stylus for talking machines, enlarged; Fig. 2 is a vertical central section of the same; Fig. 3 is a similar view4 of a modified form of the invention; and Figs. 4t and 5 are perspective views of other modified forms of the stylus.,

In the drawing the numeral 10 designates a reproducing needle or stylus for a talking machine made of any suitable material pointed at one end, 11, as shown, to engage the record. Fitting tightly on the stylus at a suitable distance from its pointed end and from its support is a member hereinafterL called a band, resonator', or sound modifier 12, which may, and preferably has, a depending portion or skirt 13 surrounding the stylus and separated therefrom by a space 14. The bottom of the skirt 13 is beveled on its inner side, as at 15, to form a relatively sharp edge 16. The band and skirt may, however, be made of wood, ivory, or other suitable material, if desired, and instead of making it of cylindrical shape, as in Figs. 1 and 2, it may be of bell form, the lower -endaof the skirt standing away from the stylus as in Fig. 3, and its wall made gradually thinner from the band 12 to the lower edge 16. A collar 17 may be shrunk or otherwise fastened around the band 12 to hold it on the stylus, especially if the band be of wood or ivory.

A modified form of the band, resonator or sound modifier is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5,.where both the upper and lower ends of a band or resonator 18 are represented, embracing a stylus. In Fig..4, a stylus, 19, made of wood'is shown, and the resonator held thereon by a set screw 20. In Fig. 5, a band'or resonator 21, is clamped ti htly on a metal stylus with an interposed fet lining or cushion 22, between the band and the stylus. A

Experiment has demonstrated that the best position for attaching the band on the stylus is about three-eighths inch from its point, the skirt extending in the direction of.

the point about five-sixteenths of an inch.

tone is increased by the use of the resonatorwhich appears to. have a gathering effect on the sharp rlngmg metallic sounds and vent the issuance thereof from the machine,

`the tones emitted being of great depth and npurity with a noticeable absenceof scratching sounds.

' While it is a fact that the band or resonator on the stylus puriies and enhances the beauty of the tone, the cause is not wholly understood, but it is believed that the band concentrates and condenses the vibrations at the point of,union between the stylus and the band. This giving out of the sound is apparently accomplished in such manner as to soften and remove the metallic sharpness which is present when a plain stylus is used.

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the exact position of the band or resonator on the stylus, as further .experiments and with diferent materials may demonstrate some other equally good or better position. The distance of the resonator or sound modifier from the point of the stylus hereinabove given is, however, the best known at the present time. Furthermore, no particular material is claimed as best for the stylus and band. Metal, wood, ivory, fiber, and otherhard substances having been used and good results obtained from all.

What I claim is: f

1. An attachment for talking machines comprising a cupped resonator provided with an opening therethrough to receive a stylus whereby the resonator may be wholly supported by the stylus intermediate the ends thereof.

Q i f roeaaoe 2. stylus for'talking machines made of rigid .material pointed at one end and having an encirc ing' band rigidly lclamped ythereon between its ends and *provided with a skirt surrounding said stylus and spaced therefrom and separate from the stylus supporting means.

3.-A stylus for talking machines made of rigid-material pointed at one end and having an encircling band firmly clamped thereon between its ends and spaced .from its supporting means, said band being provided With a skirt surrounding said stylus open toward its pointed end and spaced therefrom, its free edge being made relatively sharp.

4. A stylus for talking machines made of rigid material pointed at one end and havmg an encircling band firmly clamped thereon between its ends and spaced from its supporting means, said band being provided with a spreading skirt surrounding said stylus open toward its pointed end and spaced therefrom, the wall of said skirt portion being of gradually lessening thickness toward its free edge.

5. A stylus for talking machines made of rigid material pointed at one end and having an encircling band rmly clamped thereon above said end and separate from `the stylus supporting means, said band having a pocket opening thereinto and forming a space around said stylus.

6. A stylus for talking machines made of rigid material pointed at one end and having an encircling band also of rigid material firmly clamped thereon between its ends and spaced from the stylus supportingmeans, said band having a flange directed toward the pointed end of the stylus and spaced therefrom. c

7. An attachment for talking machines comprising a cup-shaped band designed to be clamped on thestylus of the same and in contact only therewith its open end being directed toward the point of the stylus.

8. A'stylus for talking machines made of rigid material pointed at one end, and an encircling band or sound modifier rigidly clamped thereon between its ends andI wholly supported thereby, said band or sound modier being provided with a vresonance space.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand'in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

RUDOLPH STEINERT. Witnesses:

J. BIRNEY TUTTLE, ELIZABETHl S. STEvENsON.

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